Media – Page 19 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers Prepared for MSU ‘Woodshed’

Posted on September 20, 2022September 24, 2022 by David Shama

Mel Tucker probably has a teddy bear personality inside but he looks like a man who growls at the walls when he gets out of bed every morning. The muscular head football coach of the Michigan State Spartans is an imposing dude who has a stern expression and expects ultimate effort from his players and coaches—or else.

Not surprisingly Tucker refers to Spartan Stadium as “The Woodshed.” It’s a nickname that suggests MSU fans should make the facility deafening in support of the Spartans. while creating an intimidating environment for visiting teams. The imposing name was first used at State over 20 years ago when Nick Saban coached there and Tucker was a grad assistant.

Since the 2021 season the Spartans are 8-0 in “The Woodshed,” including raucous victories against Michigan and Penn State a year ago. This season the Spartans hold home wins over Western Michigan and Akron. After the September 11 game against the Zips Tucker, who likes to use social media, took to Instagram thanking fans for their performance at the stadium.

On Saturday the Golden Gophers will be in the “The Woodshed” and it’s a visit Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck has prepared his team for. The Gophers have been readying themselves for difficult environments and situations since January. Fleck’s 3-0 group is going on the road for the first time this season.

“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment,” he said Monday. “…They’ve got a great fanbase. They’ve got a wonderful stadium. We know it will be loud. We’ll be prepared for that.”

Michigan State is a physical team as demanded by its coach. The Spartans will be a bigger challenge for the Gophers with their toughness and talent than they faced in dominating wins over New Mexico State, Western Illinois and Colorado. But Fleck, now coaching his sixth team at Minnesota, knows the Gophers have their own prowess. He said 2022 spring practice and training camp were the most physical of his years in Minneapolis.

“If you’re preparing for this—Michigan State now—it’s going to be a long day,” Fleck said. “You better be preparing for those types of teams back in spring ball, in training camp, and we did more good-on-good in training camp and spring ball than we ever did in our six years (previously); knowing what kind of slate we were going to have this year, especially once we get into Big Ten play.”

College football sources see the game this Saturday as a toss-up. The Spartans were No. 11 ranked nationally by the Association Press prior to last Saturday when they lost 39-28 to Washington in Seattle. A chronic issue surfaced again as the Spartans gave up 397 passing yards to the Huskies (507 total yards). Although MSU had an 11-2 season in 2021, the Spartans had a leaky pass defense giving up 324.8 yards per game—the worst in the country. As of today, State has the 101st ranked pass defense in the among 131 FBS teams, yielding 264.3 yards each game.

The Gophers are second nationally in total offense, averaging 554.7 yards per game. It’s been run-first for Minnesota, with the Gophers ranking No. 2 in rushing (312.7 yards per game). Minnesota’s All-American Mo Ibrahim is tied for second in the country with Nebraska’s Anthony Grant for most rushing yards (464).

How effectively the Gophers can throw the ball, though, may determine the outcome of a game that is the Big Ten opener for both programs. The Minnesota pass game ranks No. 77 nationally but has improved with the return of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.

Even though the season-ending injury to leading wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell last Saturday is a setback, the Gophers have other experienced targets. Fleck expressed confidence in his receivers. “Everybody can (potentially) be the focal point,” he said.

The offensive line, of course, will have to give quarterback Tanner Morgan time to throw and be consistent with run blocking as well. Minnesota lost 181 game starts from last year’s offensive linemen who moved on, but line coach Brian Callahan and preseason All-American center John Michael Schmitz have helped the Gophers regroup.

“I love how they have jelled together,” Fleck said about the line while acknowledging more improvement is needed. “I love how connected they are.”

As expected, the Spartans are a resilient team. They trailed the Huskies 29-8 after two quarters but played a strong second half. Quarterback Payton Thorne, who Fleck calls the “heartbeat” of the Spartans, is a high level competitor and he threw for 323 yards and three touchdown passes against the Huskies.

The Spartans rank No. 60 in the country in total offense. Their rankings in running and passing are No. 66 and No. 44 respectively.

The Gophers are No. 2 nationally in total defense, giving up 170.3 yards per game. “We have a really smart defense,” Fleck said. “They understand the calls. They understand why the calls are that way. It helps having (linebacker) Mariano Sori-Marin in the middle who is basically a defensive coordinator on the field. He can make a lot of things right really quick. …”

On Saturday the Gophers hope to keep things right on the road, visiting “The Woodshed.” They haven’t played at Michigan State since 2013 and not won there since 2006 but the Gophers have been an impressive road team under Fleck. They are 14-4 in their last 18 away games including bowls. Only Ohio State, 17-3, has a better travel record among Big Ten teams.

Worth Noting

Fleck talking about Autman-Bell’s role now that he is sidelined for the season: “His leadership is second to none and we’re going to need that from him as we keep going through Big Ten play here.”

Fleck is impressed with the work ethic of his team. An hour after practice ended Sunday, 40 players were still on the field working on their own even though they were not required to do so.

The Athletic 131 ranks every FBS football team weekly and has the Gophers No. 39, with 3-0 Maryland No. 29. Not on board with that.

Vikings running back Alexander Mattison talks every Tuesday on KYCR AM 1440 on the “10,000 Takes” show with Eric Nelson and Wally Langfellow. The veteran sports journalists host their show from 5:05 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Timberwolves, who have their first training camp practice September 27, host Fan Fest presented by Mayo Clinic October 1 at Target Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the team will take the court at 3 p.m. for a practice and scrimmage. Fan Fest tickets are complimentary with a $1 processing fee. https://www.Timberwolves.com/fan-fest

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Hunter & Smith May Hold Vikings’ Fate

Posted on September 4, 2022September 6, 2022 by David Shama

Predictions about the Vikings’ final 2022 season record run to extremes. Sports Illustrated, for example, has Minnesota at 7-10 while national talk show host Colin Cowherd is giddy about the Purple shocking the NFL with a 13-4 record.

Reality is speculating on a final record before the first regular season game is even played is challenging. Of course, it’s also fun.

The Vikings didn’t use their starters in three winless preseason games, the norm now for NFL teams. The Purple forecasting assignment is also more difficult because of the team’s new coaching staff headed by Kevin O’Connell. He is a rookie head coach and unknown leader, although the Vikings have a staff that includes veteran assistants.

The team was 8-9 last season, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Sports Illustrated almost nailed Minnesota’s final record in its football preview issue in 2021 (predicting 9-8) and made the correct call about missing the playoffs.

S.I. was on the money last year in forecasting a second-place finish in the NFC North but in 2022 believes the Vikings will finish third behind the 11-6 Packers and (gasp) the 9-8 Lions. S.I. sees a possible scenario where the Minnesota offense is “middling” and the defense falters in its comeback bid.

Kevin O’Connell photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Cowherd likes O’Connell’s resume as the former offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Rams. He projects O’Connell will be a big help to veteran QB Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense. Cowherd’s gushing about the Vikings includes the prediction they will upset the hated Packers in the season opening game for both teams September 11.

Before Cowherd tells his audience the Vikings will win the Super Bowl, I asked a former NFL front office executive to jump in and offer his thoughts. What’s a best-case scenario for the Purple?

“I think if they keep (Danielle) Hunter and (Za’Darius) Smith healthy, and Cousins has a pretty good year, I think they’re a 10-win team and make the playoffs,” the source said while asking that his name not be used.

The two outside linebackers (may also play defensive end) have big upsides as pass rushers but also histories of being sidelined with injuries. If healthy, Hunter and Smith can take a lot of pressure off the uncertain secondary that includes two inexperienced and vulnerable defenders, safety Camryn Bynum and corner Cam Dantzler.

Hunter and Smith will need rest during games, with subs Patrick Jones and D.J. Wonnum available off the bench. “If they lose those guys (Hunter and Smith), or even one of those guys, it’s going to make just a huge difference,” the source said.

The NFL authority also said Cousins will be a key to a best-case scenario for the season. The veteran must play better in “crunch time” than in the past for the Vikings to make or even exceed expectations.

The potential positives for 2022 improvement include the schedule. The Vikings play nine of their 17 games at home and have only 7 true road games. They play the Saints in London on October 2 in a neutral site game that figures to be an easier assignment than trying to win in New Orleans. “I think that’s a big advantage schedule wise,” the source said about where the 17 games will be played.

Worst-case scenario for the season? Injuries wreak havoc, the authority said, citing names like Hunter, Smith, linebacker Eric Kendricks, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as difference makers the Vikings can’t afford to lose in large numbers. (Jefferson, BTW, is Sports Illustrated’s choice to be NFL Offensive Player of the Year.)

Troubles, too, could include stumbling in the transition to new offensive and defensive schemes. If the Vikings falter on the learning curve that could contribute to losing a lot of close games again. Minnesota lost eight one-score games in 2021.

Regarding a disappointing 2022, the source summarized it this way: “So I think the worst-case scenario is the injury bug hits them, and they have growing pains with the new schemes on offense and defense, and they lose close games like they did last year and that knocks them out of the playoffs.”

With that scenario, his prediction is the Vikings finish 7-10.

Golden Gophers Notes

Wyatt Gilmore and Riley Sunram are two high school players to follow as the Gophers pursue their 2024 football recruiting class. Both have been offered scholarships and recruiting authority Ryan Burns from GopherIllustrated offers praise.

Gilmore, from Rogers, Minnesota, projects as a defensive tackle with Minnesota. “…I think he is going to be a really good pass rusher,” Burns said.

Sunram, from Kindred, North Dakota near Fargo, projects as a defensive end. “Riley Sunram I think is going to be a pretty special player,” Burns said. “I think he could be one of the best players to come out of the Dakotas in the last handful of years.”

The Gophers’ recruiting class for 2023 is holding at 18 verbal commitments, per 247Sports. Burns believes it could be November before there are additions to the class, with the possibility Minnesota will add players at cornerback, linebacker and receiver.

Credit past decisions in the University of Minnesota athletic department allowing the Gophers to pay less than market rate guarantees for home games against their three nonconference opponents in 2022. The $1,250,000 total is less than some Power Five programs pay out for one nonconference game.

Not only did the Gophers shutout New Mexico State 38-0 in their opener last Thursday night, but they also kept the Aggies from making long gains most of the game. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said last season Minnesota allowed the fewest explosive plays in the nation.

The Gophers played two of their backup quarterbacks in the fourth quarter to finish out the game, Cole Kramer and Athan Kaliakmanis. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca said during training camp it wasn’t clear who would replace Tanner Morgan if he were injured.

Head coach P.J. Fleck praised both his top backups near the end of camp. He said Kramer, a redshirt junior, had a “phenomenal camp.” Regarding redshirt freshman Kaliakmanis the coach said, “I am really proud of the progress he’s made, and he’s going to be a really, really talented player.”

Former Gophers in their debuts for other programs: RB Bucky Irving started and ran for 13 yards on five attempts for Oregon Saturday in its 49-3 loss to Georgia. Also Saturday, QB Zack Annexstad started for Illinois State and threw an interception returned for 100 yards while playing most of the game in a 38-0 loss to Wisconsin. On Friday night RB Ky Thomas started for Kansas, running seven times for 19 yards in a 56-10 win over Tennessee Tech.

Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle said his department has about $21.5 million to pay back on a loan caused by drastically reduced revenues during the pandemic. He also estimated the debt still owed on the Athletes Village in the $38 to $40 million range.

“Athletes Village has been an absolute game changer for our program,” Coyle said. “We call it the wow factor when a recruit comes into your building and they have a chance to walk through this facility. It’s good when they pull out their cell phones and they start taking pictures.”

Coyle plans to attend Lindsay Whalen’s induction Friday into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The legendary former Gophers and Lynx guard will join over 300 inductees in the basketball shrine in Springfield, Mass. Ex-Gopher and NBA star Lou Hudson is also part of the 2022 and will be inducted posthumously.

Coyle said Gopher athletes now have a 96 percent graduate rate, the highest ever at Minnesota. He also estimated that last school year over 130 of his athletes benefitted from more than 260 Name, Image and Likeness deals.

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Ex-GM Predicts 10-7, Playoffs for Vikings

Posted on July 31, 2022 by David Shama

Jeff Diamond, the former Vikings general manager who was the 1998 NFL Executive of the Year, is upbeat about the 2022 team and predicts a 10-7 record, possibly better.

“I think that gets you a Wild Card,” Diamond told Sports Headliners earlier this month. “And they could do better than that (10-7 record). I think once you get the momentum, then things can start rolling.”

The Vikings’ record last season was 8-9 and that wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs. Most of the key personnel is back under a new coaching staff that will use new schemes on offense and defense. The Vikings have 10 starters returning on offense, seven on defense.

There have been significant changes with the defensive roster including linebacker Za’Darius Smith and high draft choices Lewis Cine (safety) and Andrew Booth Jr. (cornerback). The defense was a liability last year (No. 25 in points allowed) but Diamond expects the unit to be improved.

The schedule is another reason Diamond is optimistic about his old team. “I think the schedule is favorable because they’ve got the extra home game this year. Compared to last year they had only eight home games, this year they have nine home games. Then they have the neutral site game with the Saints in London so there’s really only seven true road games so I think that’s an advantage schedule wise.”

To Minnesota’s benefit, too, is that the quality of opponents doesn’t appear to be daunting. The strength of schedule for 2022 ranks No. 20 in the 32-team NFL.

There is a wagering trend that the Vikings will earn around eight wins in the coming season. Forecasts for a bad year such as 6-11 will be difficult to find, and at the other extreme national talk show host Colin Cowherd is forecasting a 13-4 record and a NFC North Division title.

Worth Noting

Consistent with recent NFL concerns about protecting the health of its players, don’t expect to see a lot of Vikings starters in the team’s preseason games. “I think you’ll see them (starters) probably play a total of three-quarters in the three games, would be my guess,” Diamond said. “…I just think they’re very cautious and some of them like (running back) Dalvin Cook probably won’t play at all, or maybe one series.”

Vikings’ Ring of Honor members Carl Eller, 80, and Chuck Foreman, 71, signed autographs for fans yesterday at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.

Gophers fans can watch the football team practice starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 6 at Huntington Bank Stadium. Enter Gate E for the free event that includes a Fan Zone in the West Plaza with inflatables, yard games and photo stations.

Former Gophers head coach Tim Brewster is an assistant on head coach Deion Sanders’ staff at Jackson State. Brewster’s former defensive coordinator Ted Roof has that same title at Oklahoma, while his ex-offensive coordinator Jeff Fisch is starting his second season as Arizona’s head coach.

Spire Credit Union is airing TV commercials with Olympic gold medalist wrestler and Minnesota native Gable Steveson. Spire prez and CEO Dan Stoltz told Sports Headliners Steveson, Twins Hall of Famer Tony Oliva and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will appear on billboards this fall for his company. A sports enthusiast, Stoltz was named 2020 Most Admired CEO by Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

World Golf Hall of Famers Amy Alcott, Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez, Hollis Stacy and Jan Stephenson are scheduled to compete in the Land O’Lakes Legends Classic presented by The Meadows at Mystic Lake on August 13-14 in Prior Lake. Inkster, the defending champion from last year’s inaugural event, is also a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame as are Alcott and Lopez. http://LegendsClassicMN.com

The Twins will play 20 home games at Target Field in August, the most in 45 years dating back to when the club was based at Met Stadium. In addition to Central Division rivals the Royals and Tigers, there are games against the Blue Jays, Rangers and Red Sox—with those clubs making their only 2022 Minneapolis appearances. In an interleague series, the NL Giants come to Target Field (opened in 2010) for the first time ever. The Twins’ home record is 27-22 and on the road 26-25.

Outfielder Matt Wallner, the powerful hitting Forest Lake, Minnesota native, draws speculation he could be part of a Twins’ trade deadline transaction to acquire pitching. But the 6-5, 220-pound Wallner has struggled at the plate in July hitting .118 since being promoted from Double-A Wichita to the Triple-A Saints.

Jim Kaat, now a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, spent the early part of his long career with the Twins but ended his MLB days with the Cardinals who won the 1982 World Series. In a July 23 New York Times story he told writer Tyler Kepner “no athlete in any professional sport has played 24 seasons before getting a championship ring.”

Terrin Vavra, the former Gophers shortstop (2016-2018), is hitless in three at bats with the Orioles since being promoted from Triple-A Norfolk last week.

Cameron Christie, the Rolling Meadows, Illinois shooting guard who has verbally committed to the Gophers for the class of 2023, is the second best player in his state per 247Sports but in its composite rankings lists him as a three-star recruit, not a four or five.

The first ever volleyball Big Ten Media Days will be Monday and Tuesday. The Big Ten Network will have coverage from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (CDT) Monday and 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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